ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“I pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti. His courage and emphasis on good governance inspires us.”
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited
The project focuses on leveraging sample hyperspectral data from Pixxel’s path finder satellites to develop analytics models focused on crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments
Such types of collaboration with young startup will go a long way for developing innovative geospatial solutions using advanced satellite imaging technology: Shri Manoj Ahuja
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare signed a MOU with Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited today in the presence of the Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW, Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary, DA&FW and other senior officers of the Ministry at New Delhi. Shri C. S. Murthy, Director, MNCFC signed the MOU on behalf of Government of India, where as Shri Abhishek Krishnan, Chief of Staff represented M/s Pixxel Space India Pvt. Limited.It aims to develop various geospatial solutions on pro bono basis for the Indian Agriculture Ecosystem using Pixxel’s hyperspectral dataset. The project focuses on leveraging sample hyperspectral data from Pixxel’s path finder satellites to develop analytics models focused on crop mapping, crop stage discrimination, crop health monitoring, and soil organic carbon assessments. This will enable the Government to develop use cases with hyperspectral data provided by PIXXEL. MNCFC on behalf of the DA&FW will associate with Pixel team for developing and implementing the suitable methodologies.
Hyperspectral remote sensing technology includes spectral measurements in narrow wavelength bands by satellites and such measurements offer certain unique indices to monitor and assess health of crops and soils. This is an emerging technology with unique capabilities for monitoring agriculture.Crop health monitoring by detecting the changes in chlorophyll content and canopy moisture status, using hyperspectral data would be beneficial to find crop risk management solutions to farmers.
Soil nutrient mapping including soil organic carbon assessments is one of the important applications of hyperspectral technology. The soil reflectance observations measured by the sensors offer more direct, cost-effective datasets to estimate soil organic carbon.This will also help to develop the early detection of crop stress, accurate diagnostics of crop stress due to pest/disease or water using hyper spectral data offer numerous opportunities to strengthen the current advisory system of the Government benefiting to millions of farmers.
Secretary, DA&FW expressed that such types of collaboration with young startup company will go a long way for developing innovative geospatial solutions using advanced satellite imaging technology. The new technology will reduce dependence on manual surveys and measurements which are time consuming and prone to errors.
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Human Resource Development to celebrate Matribhasha Diwas
The Matribhasha Diwas which falls on 21st February will be celebrated by HRD Ministry across the country. The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will be the Chief Guest at the main event to be held in New Delhi on 20th February, 2020.. Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ will be the Guest of Honour on the occasion. MoS, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel and MoS, HRD Shri Sanjay Dhotre will also grace the occasion. The theme of the programme is ‘Celebrating our Multilingual Heritage’ reflecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat.
MHRD along with educational institutions and language institutions is celebrating the Matribhasha Diwas for the past three years. This year also the educational institutions will organize activities like Elocution, Debating, Singing, Essay writing competitions, painting Competitions, Music and dramatic performances, Exhibitions, Online resources and activities as well as events exploring the cognitive, economic, social and cultural activities of multilingual society, Exhibitions depicting linguistic and diverse wealth of India in at least two languages and also more.
International Mother Language Day  is a worldwide annual observance forming a part of UNESCO’s calendar of events, held on 21st February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17th November, 1999. It was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly  in 2008. The latter called upon its member states “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world”.
Our country has unparallel linguistic and cultural diversity and fittingly, it is proposed to observe in India 21st February, 2020 for events that promote our languages and the associated diversity of usage and literature. It has been decided to celebrate Matribhasha Diwas on 21.2.2020 every year, to promote the use of mother tongues and to achieve the following objectives:-
- Highlight the linguistic diversity of our country;
- Encourage usage, not only of the respective mother tongue but other Indian languages as well.
- To understand and draw attention to the diversity of cultures in India and the consequent forums of literature, craft, performing arts, scripts and other forms of creative expression.
- To encourage the learning of languages other than one’s own mother tongue.
Prime Minister's Office
Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev
A Virtual Summit will be held between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 11 December 2020.
This will be the first bilateral ‘Virtual Summit’ meeting between India and a Central Asian country. The leaders will discuss the entire spectrum of bilateral relationship, including strengthening of India-Uzbekistan cooperation in the post-COVID world. They will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
India and Uzbekistan have continued to maintain high level exchanges in the recent past. The visits of Prime Minister Modi to Uzbekistan in 2015 and 2016 and President Mirziyoyev to India in 2018 and 2019 have imparted a new dynamism to the strategic partnership.
Several Government-to-Government agreements/MoUs are expected to be concluded coinciding with the Virtual Summit.
UPSC
Combined Defence Services Examination , 2018
The following are the lists, in order of merit, in respect of 172  candidates who have finally qualified on the basis of the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination , 2018 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission and Interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to theOfficers Training Academy, Chennai, for 109th Short Service Commission Course  and  ^Officers Training Academy, Chennai, 23rd Short Service Commission Women  Course, commencing in April, 2019. The list of 109th Short Service Commission Course  also includes the names of the candidates who were recommended earlier on the basis of the result of the same examination for admission to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad  Training Course.
The number of vacancies as intimated by the Government, for  109th Short Service Commission Course  is 225 and for  23rd Short Service Commission Women  Course is 12.
The results of Medical Examination of candidates have not been taken into account in preparing the merit list. The candidature of all the candidates is Provisional. Verification of Date of Birth and Educational Qualification of these Candidates will be done by Army Head Quarter.
Candidates can also obtain information regarding results by accessing to UPSC website http://www.upsc.gov.in. However, marks of the candidates will be available within 15 days from the date of declaration of final results on Commission’s website for 30 days.
Attention of the candidates is also invited to scheme of Public Disclosure of Scores and other details of non-recommended candidates as available in the Commission’s website. Such non-recommended candidates may exercise their options while downloading their marks.
Union Public Service Commission has a Facilitation Counter near Examination Hall Building in its Campus. Candidates may obtain any information/clarification regarding their examination on working days between 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM, in person or over telephone No. 011-23385271, 011-23381125 and 011-23098543.
Click here for full list
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways has run 2813 Shramik Special trains, carrying over 37 lakh passengers, till 10 am of 24.05.2020
Congestion position has eased considerably and the mobility of trains has drastically improved
80 per cent of total Shramik Special trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
Convergence of trains to these destinations caused congestion in the network
Further, increased time taken in de-boarding of passengers due to the various health and social distancing protocols at the stations led to congestion at terminals which further affects network congestion
To ease the congestion few trains were diverted via Mathura, Jharsuguda.
Round the clock monitoring at Railway Board level, Zonal Railway level and Divisional level
IRCTC and Railways have mobilized resources to ensure regular supply of meals and water to the Shramik Special trains and minimize inconvenience to the passengers.
Indian Railways has run more than 2813 Shramik Special trains, carrying over 37 lakh passengers, till 10 am of 24.05.2020. Nearly 60 per cent trains originated from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab and are majorly destined for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. 80 per cent of total Shramik Special trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar . Most of the destinations in U.P are around Lucknow - Gorakhpur sector and in Bihar around Patna. Of 565 trains on run since yesterday, 266 were going to Bihar and 172 to Uttar Pradesh.
Convergence of trains to these destinations caused congestion in the network. Further, increased time taken in de-boarding of passengers due to the various health and social distancing protocols at the stations is leading to congestion at terminals which further affects network congestion.
To ease the congestion few trains were diverted via Mathura, Jharsuguda. Further, route rationalisation order has been issued to avoid congestion on routes with heavy traffic. Round the clock monitoring at Railway Board level, Zonal Railway level and Divisional level is being done to ensure that trains are not delayed. The train running staff have also been sensitised to ensure punctual running of Shramik spl trains. With these efforts, the congestion position has eased considerably and the mobility of trains has drastically improved.
Due to the surge in east bound trains leading to network congestion, trains got delayed and this affected the meals distribution schedule. IRCTC and Railways have mobilized resources to ensure regular supply of meals and water to the Shramik Special trains and minimize inconvenience to the passengers.
Ministry of Railways
Now Order Online Food by Whatsapp: Indian Railways starts new service
- Indian Railways’ PSU, IRCTC starts WhatsApp communication for the railway passengers to order food through e-catering services.
- WhatsApp number +91-8750001323 to become an interactive two way communication platform for the customer.
- AI power chatbot to handle all queries of e-catering services for the passengers and also book meals for them.
- WhatsApp communication for e-catering services implemented on selected trains and passengers.
- Based on customer feedback and suggestions, the company will enable the same on other trains.
Indian Railways’ PSU, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.  started e-catering services through a specially developed website www.catering.irctc.co.in as well its e-catering app Food on Track.
In a step further towards the making its e-catering services more customer-centric, Indian Railways has recently started WhatsApp communication for the railway passengers to order food through e-catering services. Business WhatsApp number +91-8750001323 has been started for the purpose.
Initially, two stages implementation of e-catering services was planned through WhatsApp Communication. In the first phase, Business WhatsApp number will be sending a message to the customer booking e-ticket for opting for e-catering services through clicking the link www.ecatering.irctc.co.in.
With this option, the customers will be able to book meals of their choice from the restaurants of their choice available at stations enroute directly through the e-catering website of IRCTC without even requiring to download the App.
In the next phase of the services, WhatsApp number will be enabled to become an interactive two way communication platform for the customer wherein an AI power chatbot will handle all queries of e-catering services for the passengers and will also book meals for them.
To begin with, WhatsApp communication has been implemented for e-catering services on selected trains and passengers and based on customer feedback and suggestions, Railways will enable the same on other trains too.
Today, approximately 50000 meals are being served in a day to the customers through IRCTC’s e-catering services enabled through its website as well as app.
Ministry of Coal
Day - 2 of Commercial Coal Mine Auction
The Ministry of Coal had launched the auction of coal mines for commercial mining under second attempt of 4th Tranche of CMSP Act & MMDR Act and 5th Tranche of CMSP Act & MMDR Act on March 30, 2022. On the 2nd day of the e-auction today , two coal mines were put up for auction of which both coal mines were MMDR coal mines. The details of the coal mines are as under:-
- Both the coal mines are fully explored
- The total geological reserves for the coal mines are 1288.28 Million Tonnes.
- Peak Rae Capacity  for the coal mines is 20.00 million ton per annum.
The results for Day 2 are as under:
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Name of the Mine
|
|
State
|
|
PRC 
|
|
Geological Reserves 
|
|
Closing Bid Submitted by
|
|
Reserve Price 
|
|
Final Offer 
|
|
1-2
|
|
Ghogharpalli & Its Dip Extension
|
|
Odisha
|
|
20.00
|
|
1,288.28
|
|
Vedanta Limited/68522
|
|
4.00
|
|
23.00
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar chairs a meeting with stake holders on completion of 5 Years of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Discusses challenges and way forward for the scheme with state governments, banks and insurance companies
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is security cover for farmers: Narendra Singh Tomar
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar interacted with stake-holders across the country via video conferencing on the occasion of completion of five years of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. He said that there is a need to raise awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana so that many more farmers can take advantage of the scheme.
The scheme, which was launched as a major step to provide a comprehensive risk solution at the lowest uniform premium across the country for farmers, was approved by the union cabinet on 13th January 2016.
The Agriculture Minister also congratulated the state governments, banks and insurance companies for successful implementation of the scheme throughout the country. He cited some notable examples of instances where the scheme was able to safeguard the interests of farmers, such as disbursements of claims during dry spell in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, hailstorms in Haryana and locust attack in Rajasthan in 2019.
Shri Tomar said, “The scheme is a milestone crop insurance scheme covering full crop cycle against the losses occurring due to non-preventable natural risk. A total of Rs. 90, 000 Crore have been paid as claims to farmers till now. In fact, the scheme was fully operational during the COVID-19 lockdown, distributing claims of over 8741.3 crores to 69.70 lakh farmers across India, which is highly commendable.”
The meeting was attended by over 150 representatives including officials of the state governments, banks and insurance companies. All the stakeholders discussed key features of the scheme such integration of land records with the PMFBY portal, Crop Insurance mobile-app, satellite imagery, remote-sensing technology for robust coverage around the country.
As an endeavour to constantly bring about improvements, the scheme was made voluntary for all farmers, post its revamp in February 2020. Over 5.5 crore farmer applications have been received on year on year basis, taking the count of total farmer applications to over 28 crores in the last 5 years.
Agriculture Secretary Shri Sanjay Aggrawal in his address said that the PFMBY is the largest insurance scheme in the world for farmers and it is an example of effective utilisation of technology in the Agriculture sector.
During the interaction with the stake-holdersDr.Bhutani, CEO-PMFBY, made a presentation on 5 years completion of PMFBY. 
Shri Tomar, along with union minister of state Sh. Parshottam Rupala and Sh. Kailash Chaudhary, congratulated the farmers of India for enrolling in the scheme in such large numbers and wished success for the scheme in future.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports organises “Yoga Mahotsav” at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium today
Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports organized “Yoga Mahotsav” on 20th June, 2023 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi in run up to the International Day of Yoga, 2023 . Secretary, Youth Affairs Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan, Shri Manoj Sethi, Joint Secretary, and Pankaj Kumar Singh, Director graced the occasion.
Officers/Officials of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Directorate of National Service Scheme , National Service Scheme , Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan , Sports Authority of India , National Anti Doping Agency , National Dope Test Laboratory  also took part in Common Yoga Protocol. In addition, more than 100 volunteers from NSS participated in the common Yoga Protocol during the Yoga Mahotsav 2023.
Secretary,Youth Affairs Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan,while addressing the gathering highlighted the importance of Yoga in improving the mental and physical health. This event included a session on ‘Benefits and Technique of Rajyoga and Meditation’ by Prajapita Brahma Kumari Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya and Yoga demonstrations by Yoga Instructors from Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
Ministry of Communications
Rural Fibre Network
BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats  of the country. As on 25.07.2022, total 1,78,044 GPs have been made Service Ready under the project. The scope of BharatNet project has recently been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country, with the completion timeline as 2025.The implementation of the project has been affected mainly on account of the following:
- BharatNet is a challenging project, with GPs widely dispersed across remote corners of the country, covering difficult terrains  affected areas);
- Under BharatNet Phase-II, about 65,000 GPs in 8 States are being implemented by the State Government under State-led model. The implementation of the same is not meeting the targeted time-lines as State Governments are responsible for implementation.
 The project has also been adversely affected by the lockdown and movement restrictions due to COVID-19 as well as Right of Way  issues.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates shooter Manish Narwal for winning Gold Medal at Paralympics Games
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated shooter Manish Narwal for winning Gold Medal at the Paralympics Games in Tokyo.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Glory from the Tokyo #Paralympics continues. Great accomplishment by the young and stupendously talented Manish Narwal. His winning the Gold Medal is a special moment for Indian sports. Congratulations to him. Best wishes for the coming times. #Praise4Para."
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes an Online Training on ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi and Management of SAM & MAM’ under Mission Poshan2.0 in Regional Centre Mohali
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development  organized an Online Training on ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi and Management of SAM &MAM’ under Mission Poshan2.0 at the Regional Centre, Mohali on 15th and 16th June. As many as 100 participants attended this programme.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Import of PET
The Hazardous and Other Wastes  Rules, 2016 were amended on 1st March, 2019 to prohibit the import of solid plastic waste into the country including Special Economic Zones  and Export Oriented Units . The import was banned to boost domestic collection and recycling of plastic waste including Polyethylene terephthalate .
However, the situation was reviewed later and the rules were amended in November, 2021 to allow import of PET. The PET import was allowed to fill the gap in waste availability of PET recycling units which in turn provide raw material to Yarn manufacturing units. There was shortage of plastic waste raw material for recycling units in spite of more than 90% collection of PET waste. The rationale is that the PET recycling industry is anchor for domestic waste management and as long as available domestic waste is being collected and recycled, the growth of the industry should not be hindered by lack of raw material.
The policy provides that import would be allowed only to actual recyclers having valid authorization and Consent to Operate so as to ensure that waste is channelized purposefully. Also the permitted import quantity would be restricted only to fill the gap in recycling capacity and not to replace the domestic waste processing.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility  for plastic waste, including PET, by Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022. As per the guidelines, the producer, importers and brand-owners have EPR obligation for plastic waste. They shall ensure minimum level of recycling  of plastic waste collected under EPR. The enforceable prescription of minimum level of recycling of plastic packaging waste collected under EPR will further strengthen circular economy of plastic packaging waste.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.